The instruction follows Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s formal request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent NITI Aayog meeting, where the merger was presented as a priority agenda item. In response, the PMO has asked the Railway Board to speed up the process, which has been entangled in bureaucratic delays for nearly a decade.
The merger, which aims to bring the suburban MRTS corridor under the operational and administrative ambit of CMRL, is expected to enhance urban mobility by enabling unified ticketing, better infrastructure, and smoother intermodal connectivity across the city. Commuters have long voiced concerns over the state of MRTS stations, which are often poorly maintained, underutilised, and lack basic amenities. In contrast, the Metro system has earned praise for its efficiency, cleanliness, and user-friendly design.
According to officials, the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) had already submitted a proposal to the Railway Board in early 2024. Although the Board had raised certain queries, Southern Railway has reportedly addressed them, clearing the path for final approvals. The proposal includes a revenue-sharing model and outlines the framework for operational integration.
MRTS currently suffers annual losses of around ₹104 crore, while generating only about ₹50 crore in revenue. The merger is expected to rationalise costs and allow CMRL to unlock the commercial potential of MRTS infrastructure through better management and development.
While no specific timeline has been announced, the PMO’s intervention has injected fresh momentum into the long-stalled project. With central and state authorities now aligned, Chennai’s commuters may finally see progress toward a truly integrated urban rail network.
